First ‘Walking Dead’ Season 7 Photo Takes a Bat to Your Expectations

Apart from the Season 6 cliffhanger itself, The Walking Dead raises significant questions as to how Season 7 might release trailers and photos without spoiling Negan’s victim. We may have a frustrating first answer, as the first official photo from the new season looks a trifle familiar. Batter up!

Entertainment Weekly released the first official photo from The Walking Dead Season 7, ahead of a presumable trailer debut at Comic-Con 2016, but you may notice one slight caveat to any notion of “new.” The photo appears to show Negan still winding up to the victim (note the absence of any blood on Lucille), but is otherwise no different from what the Season 6 finale already showed.

EW / AMC

If nothing else, EW and Greg Nicotero offered some intel on Negan’s oratory prowess in Season 7:

Negan is that kind of guy. He’s the kind of guy who imagines himself on stage at a high school production and he loves every second of it. So, I don’t really see a lot of quiet contemplative moments with Negan. I feel like with Negan it’s really going to be about him gesticulating and him sort of relishing in the sound of his own voice while he commands the stage in front of whoever’s alive.

Sure. In any case, we’ll surely have better teases from Comic-Con 2016 next week, but rest assured, Negan’s victim will definitely be known by the premiere.